Battle of the Beers and Dad’s Day

It was an action-packed event Wednesday, May 14th with the beer throw-down at Matt Denny’s. The bar was packed and the patio was full.

The Craft Beer Battle was on. So great was the demand, said observers, the bar actually ran out of beer “paddles.”

With a powerful and popular lineup of hand-made beers, many Orange County beer lovers visited the restaurants on the first day, and returned the second, with friends.

Judges from both Colorado and California judged such brands as Belching Beaver, Dog Ate my Homework, Out of Sight, and Chocolate Yeti.

Oskar Blues, in fact, one of the Colorado Breweries, delivered only two kegs of their Ten Fidy, bourbon barrel-aged, Imperial Stout to California. Matt Denny’s was one of the two deliveries for a beer that has never been out of Colorado.

When the foam had cleared, Noble Ale Work’s Naughty Sauce, from Anaheim, California, emerged as the winner in a pitched battle.

At press time, neither Mr. Noble nor Mr. Naughty, nor Mr. Anaheim, was available for comment.

Meanwhile, Matt Denny’s will feature a very special Father’s Day menu for Dad’s on Friday the 13th, Saturday the 14th, and Sunday the 15th with its Happy Hour, on Sunday all day. You can treat Dad to a Potato Crusted Salmon, an 8-ounce fresh salmon filet, lightly seasoned and then wrapped in potato herb mix and pan seared till golden brown and tender. Topped with a lemon butter sauce. Served with a choice of two sides.

Maybe Pop is the Mahi Mahi type? There’s a Wild Mahi Mahi filet, seasoned with olive oil and fresh herbs, served over rice pilaf with mango chutney and fresh papaya, available.

You can’t go wrong with chicken. How about a half chicken seasoned with garlic, salt, pepper and fresh rosemary? This tender chicken is then slow roasted and topped with sautéed shallots, garlic, white wine and chopped roma tomatoes. Served over garlic-mashed potatoes with a choice of soup or salad.

Dad likes to mix it up? We’re thinking Steak and Scampi; a 7-ounce New York steak cooked to temperature with four large shrimp served scampi style. Served with a choice of two sides.
There is, of course, always the classic Prime Rib, a classic 12-ounce cut slow-roasted and served to temperature with au jus, horseradish sauce and a choice of two sides.

But, how about smothering it? A 12-ounce cut is grilled to temperature and topped with sautéed mushrooms, onions, gravy, and jack cheese. Served with a choice of two sides.

Dessert is White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake, or a New York Style Cheesecake. Doesn’t Dad deserve both?

Matt Denny’s Ale House Restaurant is 145 Huntington Dr., Arcadia. (626) 462-0250. www.mattdennys.com.